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Top forward Taeshon Cherry signs with Arizona State basketball

The Arizona State cheerleaders perform during the First Four game against Syracuse in the 2018 NCAA Tournament on March 14, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. Kirk Irwin, Getty Images

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

The Arizona State cheerleaders perform during the First Four game against Syracuse in the 2018 NCAA Tournament on March 14, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio.
Kirk Irwin, Getty Images

Tyus Battle of Syracuse drives to the basket during their First Four game against ASU in the 2018 NCAA Tournament on March 14, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Tyus Battle of Syracuse drives to the basket during their First Four game against ASU in the 2018 NCAA Tournament on March 14, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio.
Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Mickey Mitchell and Romello White of Arizona State battle for the ball with Paschal Chukwu of Syracuse during their First Four game in the 2018 NCAA Tournament on March 14, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. Joe RobbinS/Getty Images

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mickey Mitchell and Romello White of Arizona State battle for the ball with Paschal Chukwu of Syracuse during their First Four game in the 2018 NCAA Tournament on March 14, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio.
Joe RobbinS/Getty Images

Mar 14, 2018; Dayton, OH, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley reacts to a play in the second half against the Syracuse Orange during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports Rick Osentoski, Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018; Dayton, OH, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley reacts to a play in the second half against the Syracuse Orange during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Rick Osentoski, Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange guard Tyus Battle (25) goes to the basket defend by Arizona State Sun Devils forward De'Quon Lake (35) in the second half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange guard Tyus Battle (25) goes to the basket defend by Arizona State Sun Devils forward De'Quon Lake (35) in the second half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Arizona State Sun Devils forward Mickey Mitchell (3) hangs from the basket in the first half against the Syracuse Orange during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Arizona State Sun Devils forward Mickey Mitchell (3) hangs from the basket in the first half against the Syracuse Orange during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange guard Tyus Battle (25) jumps for the ball in the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange guard Tyus Battle (25) jumps for the ball in the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange guard Tyus Battle (25) shoots over Arizona State Sun Devils forward Romello White (23) in the first half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange guard Tyus Battle (25) shoots over Arizona State Sun Devils forward Romello White (23) in the first half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Arizona State Sun Devils guard Shannon Evans II (11) reacts to a play in the second half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Arizona State Sun Devils guard Shannon Evans II (11) reacts to a play in the second half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Arizona State Sun Devils forward Romello White (23) dunks the ball in the second half against the Syracuse Orange during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Arizona State Sun Devils forward Romello White (23) dunks the ball in the second half against the Syracuse Orange during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange forward Oshae Brissett (11) attempts to stop a shot from Arizona State Sun Devils forward Mickey Mitchell (3) in the second half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange forward Oshae Brissett (11) attempts to stop a shot from Arizona State Sun Devils forward Mickey Mitchell (3) in the second half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Arizona State Sun Devils guard Kodi Justice (44) shoots a free throw in the second half against the Syracuse Orange during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Arizona State Sun Devils guard Kodi Justice (44) shoots a free throw in the second half against the Syracuse Orange during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange forward Oshae Brissett (11) and Arizona State Sun Devils forward Mickey Mitchell (3) scramble for a lose ball in the second half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange forward Oshae Brissett (11) and Arizona State Sun Devils forward Mickey Mitchell (3) scramble for a lose ball in the second half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Arizona State Sun Devils forward Romello White (23) forward Vitaliy Shibel (10) and Syracuse Orange forward Oshae Brissett (11) reach for the ball in the second half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Arizona State Sun Devils forward Romello White (23) forward Vitaliy Shibel (10) and Syracuse Orange forward Oshae Brissett (11) reach for the ball in the second half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange forward Marek Dolezaj (21) dunks the ball in the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange forward Marek Dolezaj (21) dunks the ball in the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Arizona State Sun Devils forward Romello White (23) shoots over Syracuse Orange center Paschal Chukwu (13) in the second half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Arizona State Sun Devils forward Romello White (23) shoots over Syracuse Orange center Paschal Chukwu (13) in the second half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Arizona State Sun Devils guard Tra Holder (0) looks to pass around Syracuse Orange forward Marek Dolezaj (21) in the first half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Brian Spurlock, Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Arizona State Sun Devils guard Tra Holder (0) looks to pass around Syracuse Orange forward Marek Dolezaj (21) in the first half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Brian Spurlock, Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange guard Tyus Battle (25) dribbles the ball in front of Arizona State Sun Devils guard Shannon Evans II (11) in the first half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange guard Tyus Battle (25) dribbles the ball in front of Arizona State Sun Devils guard Shannon Evans II (11) in the first half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Arizona State Sun Devils forward Mickey Mitchell (3) forward Romello White (23) Syracuse Orange center Paschal Chukwu (13) battle for the ball under the net in the first half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Arizona State Sun Devils forward Mickey Mitchell (3) forward Romello White (23) Syracuse Orange center Paschal Chukwu (13) battle for the ball under the net in the first half during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: General view of the court at tip off in the first half in the game between the Syracuse Orange and the Arizona State Sun Devils during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: General view of the court at tip off in the first half in the game between the Syracuse Orange and the Arizona State Sun Devils during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange forward Oshae Brissett (11) goes to the basket in the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange forward Oshae Brissett (11) goes to the basket in the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley reals to a play in the first half against the Syracuse Orange during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley reals to a play in the first half against the Syracuse Orange during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange guard Frank Howard (23) goes to the basket in the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange guard Frank Howard (23) goes to the basket in the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange forward Oshae Brissett (11) goes to the basket in the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 14, 2018: Syracuse Orange forward Oshae Brissett (11) goes to the basket in the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena.
Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

Mar 7, 2018; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils players await word from the officials after a scuffle broke between Sun Devils players and Colorado Buffaloes players near the end of the first game of the Pac-12 Tournament at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 7, 2018; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils players await word from the officials after a scuffle broke between Sun Devils players and Colorado Buffaloes players near the end of the first game of the Pac-12 Tournament at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 7, 2018; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Players on the Arizona Sun Devils bench watch as the final seconds tick off the clock of the first game of the Pac-12 Tournament against the Colorado Buffaloes at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 7, 2018; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Players on the Arizona Sun Devils bench watch as the final seconds tick off the clock of the first game of the Pac-12 Tournament against the Colorado Buffaloes at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado's Tyler Bey reacts after sinking a three-point shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona State in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 7, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken) Isaac Brekken, AP

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Colorado's Tyler Bey reacts after sinking a three-point shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona State in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 7, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Isaac Brekken, AP

Arizona State's Remy Martin leaps as he defends against Colorado's Namon Wright during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 7, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken) Isaac Brekken, AP

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Arizona State's Remy Martin leaps as he defends against Colorado's Namon Wright during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 7, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Isaac Brekken, AP

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Remy Martin of Arizona State is fouled as he drives to the basket by Lucas Siewert of Colorado during a first-round game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 7, 2018. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Remy Martin of Arizona State is fouled as he drives to the basket by Lucas Siewert of Colorado during a first-round game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 7, 2018.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Arizona State's Tra Holder drives against Colorado's McKinley Wright during a first-round game of the Pac-12 Tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 7, 2018 in Las Vegas. Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Arizona State's Tra Holder drives against Colorado's McKinley Wright during a first-round game of the Pac-12 Tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 7, 2018 in Las Vegas.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images

ASU's De'Quon Lake shoots against Lucas Siewert of Colorado during a first-round game of the Pac-12 basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 7, 2018 in Las Vegas. Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

ASU's De'Quon Lake shoots against Lucas Siewert of Colorado during a first-round game of the Pac-12 basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 7, 2018 in Las Vegas.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Mar 7, 2018; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard George King (24) reacts during a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first game of the Pac-12 Tournament at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports Stephen R. Sylvanie, Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Mar 7, 2018; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard George King (24) reacts during a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first game of the Pac-12 Tournament at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Stephen R. Sylvanie, Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona State's Remy Martin, right, shoots while defended by Colorado's Lucas Siewert, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 7, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken) Isaac Brekken, AP

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Arizona State's Remy Martin, right, shoots while defended by Colorado's Lucas Siewert, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 7, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Isaac Brekken, AP

Arizona State's Tra Holder shoots covered by Colorado's McKinley Wright IV during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 7, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken) Isaac Brekken, AP

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Arizona State's Tra Holder shoots covered by Colorado's McKinley Wright IV during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 7, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Isaac Brekken, AP

Arizona State's Kodi Justice passes under Colorado's Tyler Bey during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 7, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken) Isaac Brekken, AP

Photos: ASU basketball postseason 2018

Arizona State's Kodi Justice passes under Colorado's Tyler Bey during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 7, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Isaac Brekken, AP

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Head coach Bobby Hurley of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts against the Syracuse Orange during the First Four of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 14, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio.(Photo: Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The 6-foot-8 Cherry is among the nation's top small forwards. Some recruiting services consider him a five-star talent. 247 Sports gives him a composite four-star ranking. It lists him as the nation's No. 7 small forward and its No. 29 overall prospect.

"It's an exciting day for Arizona State basketball," Hurley said in a statement. "We welcome Taeshon Cherry to the family. Taeshon will make an immediate impact with his versatile offensive skill set and relentless motor but most importantly winning is what he values most. Sun Devil Nation will enjoy watching one of the best frontcourt players in the 2018 class in Maroon and Gold next season."

Cherry committed to ASU in January. Two months later, he was expelled from Foothills Christian High in El Cajon, Calif., for what a school official termed "serious violations of the team and school behavior policies."

Cherry joins an incoming class that also includes guard Luguentz Dort of Montreal and wing Elias Valtonen of Finland. Both are four-star prospects. 247 Sports ranks this class 20th nationally.

ASU still is trying to add to the class. The Sun Devils recently entertained top point guard Brandon Williams, a 247 Sports composite four-star prospect. They're also pursuing Matt Mooney, a graduate transfer who last season averaged 18.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists at South Dakota.

ASU lost its top three scorers from last season's team, which advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014.

Assistant coach Levi Watkins is leaving ASU to join the staff of new coach Kermit Davis at Ole Miss. Watkins had worked with Hurley throughout Hurley's head-coaching career, first at Buffalo, then following him to Tempe.